College Sports Blog

Texas looking to former high school QB Mykkele Thompson to step in as new starter at safety

Texas sophomore Mykkele Thompson emerged as the starter at strong safety after strong performances against Oklahoma State and West Virginia.

Not bad for someone who carved out a high school reputation as an offensive playmaker at quarterback and receiver. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz praised the makeover engineered by defensive backs coach Duane Akina with Thompson.

“He is a guy that made his living carrying the football, so from the time he was first put on shoulder pads, he was taught to avoid people,” Diaz said. “Duane Akina has a lot of good qualities as a coach, but one of the things he does is take guys like that and sort of harden them up to become physical backs because we really try to pride ourselves on being a physical secondary.”

Block party: Texas, which ranks second nationally to Fresno State in blocked kicks since 2002, has five this season – including a field goal and punt in the last game against West Virginia.